WM5G expands Site Finder to boost UK mobile connectivity
WM5G has announced the expansion of its Site Finder service, aimed at improving mobile connectivity in underserved regions across the United Kingdom.
The service is designed to identify areas with poor network coverage and facilitate the use of shared sites on public land, making it more feasible for operators to deploy infrastructure in previously neglected locations.
Many regions in the UK suffer from poor connectivity due to the difficulty of finding economically viable sites for telecoms infrastructure in key areas. WM5G's Site Finder service proactively addresses this issue by pinpointing locations with insufficient coverage and capacity, and by promoting the use of shared sites among multiple operators, including neutral host providers and tower companies. This approach aims to reduce costs and speed up deployment, ultimately improving overall connectivity.
The Site Finder service leverages WM5G's Connected Map, a tool developed in conjunction with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), local authorities, and public asset holders. The Connected Map provides a dynamic inventory of buildings, land, and infrastructure that can be used to support the UK’s expanding telecoms network. This comprehensive mapping tool is central to WM5G’s efforts to facilitate the rapid and efficient rollout of crucial telecoms infrastructure.
Chris Hudson, connectivity director at WM5G, highlighted the importance of the service in addressing connectivity challenges. "Connectivity is crucial for businesses and citizens alike, but are we doing enough to address poor coverage areas?"
"Our site finder service pinpoints key regions for new coverage, and today’s announcement of our service expansion underscores our commitment to providing ubiquitous connectivity across the West Midlands and beyond. Improved connectivity will drive economic growth, enhance quality of life, and ensure that no one is left behind in our increasingly digital world," he said.
WM5G positions itself as a pivotal player in the telecoms industry, uniquely equipped to tackle the critical challenges associated with infrastructure deployment. The Site Finder service claims several key features and benefits that set it apart from traditional methods. These include proactive identification of poor coverage areas, enabling the deployment of infrastructure in economically unviable locations, and the use of shared sites to reduce the financial burden on individual operators.
The service also aims to accelerate the rollout of telecoms infrastructure by simplifying the complex process of site identification and acquisition. This could result in more rapid improvements to coverage and capacity, benefiting citizens, businesses, and public services alike.
WM5G’s initiative builds on the organisation's existing efforts to enhance connectivity in the West Midlands. As the UK’s first region-wide 5G innovation company, WM5G has played a significant role in making the West Midlands one of the best-connected regions in the country. Their work includes testing and proving the transformational benefits of 5G services across various sectors such as healthcare, transport, and manufacturing through dedicated testbeds and accelerators in cities like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry.
Looking ahead, WM5G’s expanded focus on accelerating the deployment of advanced connectivity aims to deliver further innovation and support organisations in adopting new technologies. The goal is to make it simpler for both public and private sector entities to reap the benefits of connectivity, the Internet of Things, and data and AI solutions. WM5G aims to draw on its real-world expertise and experience to aid this transition.
Overall, the expansion of the Site Finder service represents a significant step towards realising a fully connected UK and addressing the persistent issues of inadequate mobile coverage in hard-to-deploy areas, WM5G states. The service seeks to provide a viable solution to one of the most pressing challenges in the telecoms industry.
